Why you shouldn’t overlook soybeans as a protein source

Yep, we’re talking about protein.

Protein does so much for our bodies. It makes enzymes, hormones and chemicals. All those body parts listed above are made with protein.

Because protein is such a valuable component of our bodies, it’s no wonder people are always searching for more if it in their food choices.

Luckily for soybean fans, these tasty little beans come protein-packed.

What protein does for your body

Protein is what’s called a macronutrient, meaning your body usually requires a good amount of it to function healthily. The body doesn’t store protein, though, which is why it’s so important to include foods with plenty of protein in your diet.

How much protein your body needs depends, according to WebMD. For teenage boys and men who tend to be more active, the recommendation is three servings per day and a total of 7 ounces. Kids 2 to 6 years old, most women and certain older people require about two daily servings at a total of 5 ounces. Older kids, teen girls, active women and most men should get two servings per day for a total 6 ounces.

Though you don’t need to eat overly high amounts of protein, there are significant benefits to making sure you have enough of it in your everyday diet.

In addition to helping repair and maintain tissue, protein can build muscle mass, boost your immune system, relieve sore muscles, raise metabolism, assist with weight loss and it lowers the risk for diabetes and heart disease.

With those benefits, who wouldn’t want to make sure they take in plenty of protein?

Soybeans are a great protein source

Soybeans are actually mostly protein. According to Healthline, 36 to 56% of soybeans’ dry weight is protein. One cup of boiled soybeans equals 29 grams of protein.

When it comes to plants, soybeans are one of the best options for making sure your body gets the protein that it needs.

That’s because soy protein is considered a complete protein. A complete protein is a food source that carries essential amino acids that your body cannot produce naturally. Your body actually needs these essential amino acids and the ones it does produce to combine and make protein.

Most plant foods don’t have all of the essential amino acids. However, soybeans do.

Soybeans – and foods made with them – are great for adding protein to diets

Since soybeans are a source of complete protein, that means any food product made with soybeans also can be considered a fantastic protein source, too.

Tofu, tempeh and edamame all originate from soybeans. Obviously, so does soy milk.

You can read more about tofu, soy milk and other delicious things you can make with soybeans on our blog.

We have awesome recipes for both tofu and soy milk, including posts on how to make your own tofu and soy milk right at home.

Tofu is a Japanese dish that absorbs much of the flavor of the food it’s prepared with. It’s made from soybean curds and contains iron, calcium, and 10 to 19 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces.

And soy milk is rich in protein, too. It has 6 grams of protein for each cup, which makes it much closer to cow’s milk in comparison to other dairy milk alternatives. Soy milk also has potassium, is low in calories and fat, and is available enriched with other vitamins and nutrients.

You can lower your cholesterol with soybeans

There are some benefits you get from the protein found in soybeans that make it stand out from other protein sources.

If heart health or cholesterol levels are a concern, try adding soybeans and foods made with soybeans to your diet.

When you eat soybeans, you can decrease your levels of LDL – or the “bad” cholesterol – by about 3%. LDL cholesterol is the substance that can attach to blood vessel walls and cause blockages. Too much LDL increases heart attack risks.

For anyone with heart disease or for others who simply want to make smarter, heart-conscious food choices, soybean protein is a great diet addition.

Soy has other characteristics that make it very heart-friendly. It contains beneficial omega-3s and is low in saturated fat.

Protein from soybeans has advantages over meat protein

Protein that comes from soybeans has a few advantages over its meat counterparts. For one, there are certain vitamins and nutrients found in soybeans that are not found in meats.

Vitamin C is just one example. This vitamin is vital for protein metabolism and for absorbing nonheme iron. Too little Vitamin C in your diet could cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Soybeans also have isoflavones, which are only available in plants. These isoflavones are powerful antioxidants found in higher concentrations in soybeans and soy products than in any other plant product.

Isoflavones can help boost immune systems and help promote heart health.

Another benefit found in soybeans that needs to be highlighted is dietary fiber. This helps with digestive system health and can prevent constipation and diarrhea.

The same fiber can also give you a sense of being more full after a meal, though you may have actually eaten less food than you would have if the meal wasn’t soybean-based.

These dietary fibers can also help with heart health.

Let Laura® Soybeans help get you stocked up on soybeans

Looking to add the best-tasting soybeans to your diet? Well, then you’ll be glad you found Laura® soybeans. Our soybeans make the most delicious soymilk and tofu. They are non-GMO, vegan-endorsed, easy to store and allow you to make those tasty soybean products.

Our family has been planting, growing, harvesting, processing and packaged our soybeans right on our fifth-generation farm in Iowa. You can trust that our soybeans are of the highest quality when they come from our farm to your table.

Browse our products and you will see why so many people love Laura® Soybeans.